What does a purse, a fan, a fence, and a Dad have in common?

Well, for starters...here's my new spring handbag! Isn't it luscious? I looked over a lot of different purses with roses on them and then I found this ... I just knew it was the "ONE". 

The roses are very generous and I receive compliments on it wherever I go.  Very roomy too, but not so huge that it overtakes me.

 Here's a little off -white vintage fan that I scored on ebay (or was it etsy?) My mind is drawing a blank right now.  Anyway, it's in great condition and I can't wait to decide which little corner of my world it will "work" in to cool us off.  The base of it is sort of a pinkish flesh color.

 Next I wanted to show you an up close shot of my vintage cast iron architectural fence. (are you finding a theme yet?) This came to me from Canada several years ago. It's very heavy and is over 2 feet long and about a foot high.

 Perfectly rusty in all the right places...

 This pic was taken last year standing guard with my cherubs

For now it's hanging out with some little "greenery" on an old white window frame.  Well, you must have guessed by now what all these sweeties have in common... they are all white and hopefully worthy of White Wednesday.

 Last but NOT least...I just had to show this pic of my Dad.  He was standing in my kitchen after doing some work at my house, had taken off his outer shirt (after the manual labor) and was enjoying a cup of my coffee, when all of a sudden I looked at him.....................

There he was standing there with his beautiful white hair, holding the white coffee mug, wearing his white t-shirt with my off white kitchen in the background and I said "Dad, hold on...I have to take your pic...you're the perfect shot for a White Wednesday Post".  (even tho' Dad had no idea what a "White Wednesday" was, he was a willing candidate)   :o)

So as unusual as this may seem, I'm most proud to show you my Dad for White Wednesday. I'm linking up with Kathleen at Faded Charm .  Be sure to visit to see all the beautiful posts.  Till next time,

Happy Easter

May the true meaning of Easter always have a place in your heart ~

Celebrating 100 followers with a giveaway!

I'm so excited to be part of the wonderful world of blogging...meeting new friends, gaining ideas and inspiration. And now...to have reached 100 followers (well... a little over), I'm just THRILLED to the moon and back again! So to celebrate...I'm hosting a giveaway of the items pictured above ~chair not inc. :o) They consist of a sweet print of the Eiffel Tower, a darling memories pillow, and a roses ruffled muslin drawstring bag straight from Katie's Rose Cottage Designs. I'll also be tucking in one or two "little surprises" to the winner.

So here we go...the dates to enter the giveaway are: 

  April 20th - May 4th

What are the rules you ask?

• For one entry, leave a comment on my blog about the giveaway.
• For a second entry, grab my giveaway button, post it on your blog, and leave me a separate comment letting me know you did so.
• And for a third chance to win, if you post about this giveaway on your blog (and let me know) you'll get one more entry.
• Also...good  news for my 135 followers...you get an extra automatic entry just for being the first brave souls to follow me....   :)

The winner will be drawn randomly on May 5th. I truly never knew all that I was missing until I began blogging.  I just want to say thank you. Your blogs, your kindness, and your creativity have touched my life. 

Thank you and Good luck!

Oh...and since my giveaway features whites...I thought I'd hook up with Kathleen over at Faded Charm for White Wednesday.

Hip Hip Hooray!

Just received my copy of Romantic Prairie Style today!! I know, I know....I'm a little behind the eight ball. I can tell you already that I'm in prairie heaven just from flipping through the pages.
I plan on settling down with this book tonight after all my chores and errands are done and learn at the feet of Miss Fifi! No distractions...just a cup of something hot and this sweet book.

Blessings and Hugs,

Karen

"White Weekend Spectacular"

Here it is....drum roll please... ...the opening day of our "At Home with White Event". The layout in the tent was too beautiful for words. All the shop girls really stepped up to the plate and hit a home run with this one! (sorry if some of my pics are blurry)

Below is Mary Ellen (shop owner) welcoming the first of those in line Here's Sandi of "A Cottage Muse". We both snapped pics of each other at the same time in the excitement of the opening moments. I think she has the one of me on her site. Isn't she lovely? Some of Sandi's pretties...always something to catch the eye and grab the heart

Another peek into Sandi's space...even with the shadow you can see how sweet her things are.

Here is one view of Karen K.'s spot. Her space was just dreamy, elegant, and over the top gorgeous!One side of Mary Ellen's space. She had incredibly unique goodies...something to swoon over for everyone.

Unique displays abound...

... Is this just the sweetest ever?

Jeannie always blows us away with her knack for beauty everywhere. I had to buy that lovely chiffon fringed scarf that you see hanging there...plus a couple other goodies from her.... :)

Maureen and Peter wowed everyone as always! They have such a knack for refinishing and restoring....

So thrilled to get the chance to meet two fellow bloggers. From left to right...Susan from Evelyn and Rose, Me, Michelle from Petite Michelle Louise, and Sandi (my fellow shop girl) who introduced us all. Susan and Michelle are beautiful inside and out and it was such a treat to meet them. Hoping for a future shopping trip with these lovely gals!

Always excited when Jo-anne Coletti of "Vintage Rose Collection" stops by the store. Sandi and I were so thrilled that she graciously posed with us for a pic. (That's Sandi on the left, me in the center, and Jo-anne on the right) with her adorable pooch in her purse. Jo-anne is a fabulous artist, blogger, and now author who has just published her own magazine. Check it out on her site.

Just HAD to snap a shot of Jo-anne purchasing a tall window from my space. The other side of it was perfectly shabby white! I think she's going to paint some of her fabulous roses on it!!

Here's a few shots of my space...I had so much fun with it!

Another shot of Mary Ellen's space...

Here's two of our talented shop girls...Jeannie and Mary

More Shop Girls..... Karen, Maureen and Sue having a quick lunch break

Here's Mary Ellen under this smaller tent, ringing up the outside sales...always smiling and ready to help.

Ooooh la la... Paris anyone?

Linen pillows in a vintage french laundry basket

Some outside displays... Just look at that mirror Other treasures... Sue's spot...she has a wonderful way with white Mary and I on the last day. Tired and lovin' it!

All in all, it was a dream come true for me and all the shop girls. This was our first event like this and it was a smashing hit. I hope it'll be an annual event that will grow larger every year. The possibilities are endless. Thanks to all our customers and blogging friends for their support and wishes!

As always~ Blessings and Hugs,

Karen

As promised~

It's pretty late at night, but I told you I'd share a few of the things I've been painting for the "At Home with White Event". I really feel behind the eight ball and a bit ill prepared, but it's all a learning process. I think I have enough big items but I worry that my smaller accessories may be lacking... (after looking at Sandi and Mary Ellen's blogs) Yikes...I hope they'll help me create some sweet vignettes if they have the time on opening day. Anyway, here are three old door panels I hand painted....

Which one do YOU like best?

Here is a scalloped shelf or cornice that my friend Tina gave me. I just gave it a fresh coat of creamy paint.

This old folding wood chair also got a coat of paint, along with that little vintage table to the left of the pic.

I painted this chest white and then stenciled it....happy with the results. It's a pretty big size chest for sure! Will hold a lot of blankets or your favorite things. Great storage piece.

I found these little gold beauties, hit them with some paint, and thought leaving the gold rims looked prettier this way.

This was my most difficult piece to paint. Glad it's finally done. :)

Lastly, I want to show you two things I picked up for the sale that I decided I couldn't part with. They will just have to stay in my home for awhile before I set them free. This little jar is just well...SWEET. It's lettered in black and reads "Sweets" around the jar. Adorable.

I picked this desk up at an auction a few weeks ago.

Look at the detail

The drawer pulls are to die for

And look at those shabby chippy legs! I think I will use this for my computer desk in my little hallway office. Perhaps I'll sell the one I'm using now.

Well, if it's not too late, I'll hook up with Kathleen over at Faded Charm for White Wednesday. Hope you all have beautiful dreams tonight.

Blessings and Hugs,

Karen